From problems to gains

A person as a child had the misfortune of being stricken with many serious diseases. He was fed up; he wanted no further suffering. He began to meditate about how this "impossible" goal was to be accomplished. Ajit Kumar Bishnoi writes.

A person as a child had the misfortune of being stricken with many serious diseases. He was fed up; he wanted no further suffering. He began to meditate about how this "impossible" goal was to be accomplished.

He asked knowledgeable persons, who advised him to do pious deeds. According to them, our suffering is the result of our sinful acts. If someone avoided them, his or her chances of getting further suffering get reduced. Additionally, he was advised to become a devotee of God.

He made a firm resolve to do both and started doing good deeds and also became a devotee of God. Then, one day the realisation came that he was liberated. He understood that once we take material bodies in this material world, it is impossible to eliminate suffering. (The Bhagavad-Geeta 2.14) We are unable to solve all the problems. In such circumstances, devotees of God call on God, while a common man becomes fearful.

By such calling on God, the bond with God becomes stronger, and God also helps His devotees in crossing whatever impediments they maybe facing. For them, problems or suffering becomes a gain, because they inch closer to God. Similarly, everyone can benefit by becoming a devotee of God, and praying for His intervention, whenever in trouble.

Logically speaking, who can help us better than the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient God? It is not that we will not make our own efforts, which we instinctively do, but we are limited in our means and strength... God can do that extra bit, which we are unable to do.

God accompanies His devotees wherever they go. (6.7) No major catastrophe generally strikes God's devotees; everything usually works out in their favour.

So, what do we get to understand from this? Get close to God. Then your problems will convert into gains, because you would try to connect with Him when facing a problem, which in turn will make the link with God stronger.